We get less than we give. Albania's trade relations with Kosovo are still low compared to other countries. We unite in national holidays, but there are still barriers that hinder the further development of both countries. Even the postponed meeting of the two governments is still not being held.
If we stop at foreign trade for the first 10 months of the year, it turns out that we bought less goods. Imports with Kosovo in weight have decreased by 15 thousand tons compared to the same period a year ago, thus reaching 134 thousand tons of traded goods.
According to experts, it is the barriers at the border that prevent the growth of trade relations.
"Because of the beam that separates us, the border because of the two customs that we have, although we have a flag and a national holiday, we follow customs regimes as if we were with other countries in the region. If we remove the administrative barriers, we will be fine", says Alban Zusi.
In the first part of the year, we sent more goods to Kosovo than in 2022. Exports have had a slight increase by 109 thousand tons in this period of the year, reaching 686 thousand tons in total.
"Someone needs 50 euros of goods, 100 euros of goods, but it takes 10 people to do this. And you will have a lot of difficulties at customs."
Albania and Kosovo have concluded in the last 3 years about 184 agreements, but only 58 have been reached between our two republics, or in other words almost 1/3 of them. Among them is the Albania-Kosovo railway of about 130 km, which is expected to start work in 2024. Experts are optimistic about the impact it will have on trade in goods.
"I am pessimistic that I can fix the railways. Small and medium-sized businesses do not work with trains and railways. With this, travelers will circulate, but it will only be a transit place for goods".
The common market, the customs union and the development of border systems are some of the goals of the agreements between the two countries. (A2 Televizion)
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MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
